Method and system for cosmetics consulting using a transmitted image

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention recite a system for providing product consulting using a transmitted image. In one embodiment, the present invention comprises an image capture device for capturing an image of a user and a reference color set. In embodiments of the present invention, the image capture device does not require a provided infrastructure when capturing the image. The system further comprises a categorizing system for determining at least one data category from data comprising the image. A result generator generates a result based upon the determining of the categorizing system. The system further comprises a result reporting system for conveying the product consultation to the user when the result is conveyed.

1 . A system for providing product consulting using a transmitted image, said system comprising: 
 an image capture system for capturing an image of a user and a reference color set, wherein said image capture system does not require a provided infrastructure when capturing said image;    a categorizing system for determining at least one data category from data comprising said image;    a result generator for generating a result of said determining; and    a result reporting system for conveying said product consultation to said user when said result is conveyed.    
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said image capture system comprises a mobile electronic device.  
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2  wherein said mobile electronic device further comprises a memory device, and wherein said categorizing system and said result generator comprise at least one computer program resident in said memory.  
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said result comprises at least one personal appearance related product.  
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein said result comprises an indication of where said personal appearance related product is located.  
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising an image display device for displaying a composite image, said composite image comprising said image which is altered to represent said user wearing said appearance related product.  
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4  further comprising a video display device for displaying a composite video, said composite video comprising a real-time video of said user which is altered to represent said user wearing said appearance related product.  
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said categorizing system further comprises a product database and at least one of a product location database and a consumer relationship management database.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said image and said result are each a message selected from the group consisting essentially of: 
 an Internet message, a short message service (SMS) message, a multi-media message service (MMS) message, a voice message, a voice extensible mark-up language (voice XML) message, a printed message, an e-mail message, an electronic message, a delivery of a personal appearance related product, a message causing a product display to indicate said personal appearance related product, and a message causing said personal appearance related product to be dispensed.    
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1  wherein said data comprising said image comprises skin color information of said user.  
     
     
         11 . An image capture system comprising: 
 an image capture device which does not require a provided infrastructure, said image capture device for capturing an image of a user;    a reference color set appearing in said image; and    a communication device coupled with said image capture device, said communication device for conveying said image and for receiving a response to said image.    
     
     
         12 . The image capture system of  claim 11  wherein said image capture system comprises a mobile electronic device.  
     
     
         13 . The image capture system of  claim 11  wherein said response comprises a personal appearance related product.  
     
     
         14 . The image capture system of  claim 13  wherein said response further comprises an indication of where said at least one personal appearance related product is located.  
     
     
         15 . The image capture system of  claim 13  further comprising an image display device coupled with said communication device and wherein said response comprises a composition of said image which is altered to represent said user wearing said at least one personal appearance related product.  
     
     
         16 . The image capture system of  claim 13  further comprising a video display device coupled with said communication device and wherein said response comprises data for altering a real-time video of said user to represent said user wearing said at least one personal appearance related product.  
     
     
         17 . The image capture system of  claim 11  wherein said image and said response are conveyed as a message selected from the group consisting essentially of: 
 an Internet message, a short message service (SMS) message, a multi-media message service (MMS) message, a voice message, an electronic message, an e-mail message, a voice extensible mark-up language (voice XML) message, and a printed message.    
     
     
         18 . The image capture system of  claim 11  further comprising a memory device coupled with said image capture device and said communication device and wherein at least one computer program resident in said memory device determines said at least one data category from data comprising said image.  
     
     
         19 . The image capture system of  claim 18  wherein said at least one computer program resident in said memory device further generates said result in response to said determining.  
     
     
         20 . A categorizing system for providing product consulting, said system comprising: 
 a receiver for receiving an image of a user, said image further comprising a reference color set, and wherein said image is generated by an image capture device which does not require a provided infrastructure when capturing said image;    a categorizer coupled with said receiver for determining at least one data category from data comprising said image;    a result generator for generating a result of said determining; and    a result reporter coupled with said categorizer for conveying said result to a user.    
     
     
         21 . The categorizing system of  claim 20  wherein said categorizer uses said reference color set to perform at least one analysis of said image, said at least one analysis comprising a constructive color analysis and a comparative color analysis.  
     
     
         22 . The categorizing system of  claim 20  wherein said result comprises at least one personal appearance related product.  
     
     
         23 . The categorizing system of  claim 22  further comprising a product location database and wherein said result comprises an indication of where said personal appearance related product is located.  
     
     
         24 . The categorizing system of  claim 22  wherein said result comprises a composite image, said composite image comprising said image which is altered to represent said user wearing said appearance related product.  
     
     
         25 . The categorizing system of  claim 22  wherein said result comprises data for altering a real-time video of said user to represent said user wearing said appearance related product.  
     
     
         26 . The categorizing system of  claim 22  wherein said image and said result are each a message selected from the group consisting essentially of: 
 an Internet message, a short message service (SMS) message, a multi-media message service (MMS) message, a voice message, a voice extensible mark-up language (voice XML) message, a printed message, an e-mail message, an electronic message, a delivery of a personal appearance related product, a message causing a product display to indicate said personal appearance related product, and a message causing said personal appearance related product to be dispensed.    
     
     
         27 . The categorizing system of  claim 20  wherein said receiver, said categorizer, said result generator, and said result reporter comprise components of a mobile electronic device.  
     
     
         28 . The categorizing system of  claim 20  wherein said at least one data category comprises skin coloration information of said user.  
     
     
         29 . The categorizing system of  claim 20  further comprising a consumer relationship management database.  
     
     
         30 . A method for providing product consulting, said method comprising: 
 capturing an image of a user without requiring a provided infrastructure, and wherein said image comprises a reference color set;    determining at least one data category from data comprising said image;    generating a result based upon said determining; and    conveying said result to said user.    
     
     
         31 . The method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said capturing said image comprises: 
 utilizing a mobile electronic device to capture said image.    
     
     
         32 . The method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said determining comprises; 
 performing said determining using said mobile electronic device; and    performing said generating using said mobile electronic device.    
     
     
         33 . The method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said result comprises at least one personal appearance related product.  
     
     
         34 . The method as recited in  claim 33  further comprising: 
 accessing a product location database; and    conveying an indication of where said personal appearance related product is located.    
     
     
         35 . The method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said conveying comprises; 
 conveying a composite image, said composite image comprising said image which is altered to represent said user wearing said appearance related product.    
     
     
         36 . The method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said conveying comprises; 
 conveying data for altering a real-time video of said user to represent said user wearing said appearance related product.    
     
     
         37 . The method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said image and said result are each conveyed as a message selected from the group consisting essentially of: 
 an Internet message, a short message service (SMS) message, a multi-media message service (MMS) message, a voice message, a voice extensible mark-up language (voice XML) message, a printed message, an e-mail message, an electronic message, a delivery of a personal appearance related product, a message causing a product display to indicate said personal appearance related product, and a message causing said personal appearance related product to be dispensed.    
     
     
         38 . The method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said determining comprises; 
 determining which of said at least one data categories essentially matches the skin coloration of said user.    
     
     
         39 . The method as recited in  claim 30  wherein said determining comprises: 
 performing at least one analysis of said image, and wherein said at least one analysis of said image comprises a constructive color analysis and a comparative color analysis.